Endorsement: Howard Berman's the one -- Of the two popular democrats running for congress, he's the more accomplished -- and more moderate

The widely watched congressional race between Howard Berman and Brad Sherman presents voters with an unusual decision. Because of changes in district lines and election laws, the contest matches two popular incumbent Democrats.

Voters in the 30th District can only keep one, however, and they should choose Howard Berman.

The the differences between the two men are few, but they're significant.

One difference is about style. Sherman presents himself as a man of the people, a constant presence at events in his San Fernando Valley district, a fixture at town-hall meetings; he emphasizes his connection to his constituents on a campaign website headlined, "Talk to me. I'm listening."

Berman's reputation depends on his connection to power, his role as the ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and his influence behind the scenes; he emphasizes endorsements from an impressive array of California's state leaders and members of Congress.

This week, Berman made some headline-grabbing additions to his list of endorsements when Sen. John McCain of Arizona and Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina announced their support, praising Berman's willingness to talk policy with Republicans such as them.

That confirms what our editorial board already saw as Berman's most important quality: At a time when voters say they want their representatives in Washington to show more cooperation and less partisanship, Berman does this better than Sherman.

Maybe it's because Berman's experience in politics, in the state Assembly from 1973 to 1983 and in the House of Representatives since 1983, dates back to an era before the current hyperpartisanship. Or because his prominence on foreign-affairs issues creates more chances for bipartisanship. Or maybe because he is naturally a little more moderate in his views.

Whatever the explanation, Berman is closer than Sherman to the ideal for a legislator -- one who gets and gives respect across the aisle, who looks for good ideas whatever the source.

Before the primary in June, we made a rare double-endorsement in the 30th District, recommending votes for Berman and Republican long shot Susan Shelley from among seven candidates who included Sherman. Under California's new, open primary system, the ballot in a given race includes every candidate from every party, and the top two vote-getters advance to the general election.

While praising Berman for his distinguished, nearly 30-year tenure representing California's 26th and 28th districts in Congress, we also praised Sherman for the attention he has paid to constituents in his 16 years serving the 24th and 27th districts. Both judgments stand.

If Berman wins this election, he should take a cue from Sherman by showing his face in the Valley and trading views with residents more often than he has done in the past. That's both smart politics and good government.

Berman hasn't always been as effective as he should be at telling people back at home what he is accomplishing in the nation's capital, even when his work leads to benefits for his district such as post-1994 earthquake funding and 405 Freeway improvements.

But he has accomplished a lot, earning respect not only from fellow Democrats but from Republicans. This is what gives Berman the edge in the 30th District's Democrat vs. Democrat election.